PERFORMANCE OF DUTY DEATHS

Roll Call of all Performance of Duty Deaths. A Performance of Duty Death is classified as the death of a sworn member who dies while on or off duty and such death results from a condition, injury, or illness that was not directly related to the member’s performance as a law enforcement officer.

Incident Details:

On July 1, 1909, Officer Kearney was assigned to protect a wagon driver from striking union workers. While mounted on his horse, it suddenly bolted as an automobile passed. He was thrown from his mount and struck the ground, sustaining a fractured spine in the fall. Officer Kearney died the next day from his injuries on July 2, 1909.

Officer Kearney was waked at his residence located at 3533 South Hamilton Avenue, his funeral mass was held at St. Agnes of Bohemia Church located at 2651 South Central Park Avenue and he was laid to rest on July 5, 1909 in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 2755 West 111th Street, Chicago, Illinois.

Patrolman John P. Kearney, Sr., born in January 1859, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on May 13, 1883.

Officer Kearney was a member of the Chicago Policemen's Benevolent & Welfare Association and Archbishop McHale Council No. 1194 Knights of Columbus. He was survived by his wife, Rose (nee Murtagh) and children: John P., Jr., Mary, Patrick, Peter James, Phillip and Rose.

Chicago Police Department homicide file not found for this incident.

Patrolman James Keon

Agency:

Chicago Police Department

Appointed Date:

Mar 1873

Death Classification:

Performance of Duty Death

Star #:

Unknown

Incident Date:

20 Nov 1878

Cause of Death:

Fall - Into Excavation / Shaft

Age:

33

End of Watch:

01 Dec 1878

Unit of Assignment:

1st Precinct - Harrison Street Station District

Date of Birth:

1845

Served:

5 years, 9 months*

District of Incident (Present Day):

001 - Central

Memorial Details:

Cemetery:

Calvary Cemetery - Evanston, Illinois

Superintendent's Honored Star Case:

Panel # D-9

Gold Star Families Memorial:

Panel # 8

Illinois Police Officers Memorial:

Not Listed

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial:

Not Listed

Incident Details:

On November 20, 1878, Officer Keon was on duty and working with Patrolman Lueders. The two officers, having special instructions, were assigned to guard the approaches to a house on Clark Street. A man by the name of Castle McDonald was suspected of being a lookout for a gambling operation. The officers were to keep an eye out for him and so they positioned themselves in different locations and waited. At 3:00 a.m., Officer Keon saw McDonald, James Carroll and Joseph Martin approaching the building. He followed the men to the rear of the building. As Officer Keon entered the darkened alley, he accidentally fell into an open coal shaft in the rear of No. 176 South Clark Street (present day 48 South Clark Street). He sustained severe internal injuries. Other officers were summoned and Officer Keon was pulled from the shaft with difficulty. He was taken to his residence where he received medical attention. Officer Keon, bed ridden, lingered in his home before succumbing to his injuries at 4:00 p.m. on December 1, 1878.

Officer Keon was also a part time special policeman employed by the American District Telegraph Company, in one of their offices. He was a good, efficient, and trustworthy officer, and commanded the respect of all who knew him.

Officer Keon was waked at his residence located at No. 124 West 14th Street (present day 445 West 14th Street), his funeral mass was also held at his residence and he was laid to rest on December 4, 1878 in Calvary Cemetery, 301 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois. His grave is located in Section P, Block 14, Lot 20.

Patrolman James Keon received his Probationary Appointment to the Department in March, 1873.

Chicago Police Department homicide file not found for this incident.

On March 2, 2010, Officer Keon's star was retired by Superintendent Jody P. Weis and enshrined in the Superintendent's Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.